Intermittent Fasting

Looking for a simple way to lose excess weight and gain more energy? Then Intermittent Fasting may be the answer for you.

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting.

It is not a question of which foods to eat, but rather when you should eat them.

There are several different intermittent fasting methods, all of which split the day into eating periods and fasting periods. This diagram explains more.

                         

There are lots of health benefits to Intermittent Fasting, so it is definitely worth a try. If you find it difficult to go the distance, it might be helpful to have an electrolyte drink or herbal tea to hold you over.

Most people already “fast” 8 hours every day, while they sleep. So if you can just hold off a few more hours, it can make a world of difference in your health.

The easiest method is to skip breakfast, eat your first meal at noon or later and then your last meal by 8 pm. In this way, you’re technically fasting for 16 hours every day, and restricting your eating to an 8-hour eating window. This is the most popular form of Intermittent Fasting, known as the 16/8 method.

Despite what you may think, Intermittent Fasting is actually fairly easy to do. Many people report feeling better and having more energy during a fast.

Hunger is usually not that big of an issue, although it can be a problem in the beginning, while your body is getting used to not eating for extended periods of time.

Here are some health benefits that occur when you fast:

• Human Growth Hormone (HGH): The levels of HGH skyrocket, increasing as much as 5-fold. This has benefits for fat loss and muscle gain. A game changer in losing unwanted pounds and improving overall stamina.
• Insulin: Insulin sensitivity improves, and levels of insulin drop dramatically. Lower insulin levels make stored body fat more accessible to be utilized. A1c  may enter a more perfect range (lower than 5.7%)
• Cellular repair: When fasting, your cells initiate cellular repair processes. This includes autophagy, where cells digest and remove old and dysfunctional proteins that build up inside cells.
• Improve heart function by reducing inflammation. See this recent study
• Reduce pain caused by inflammation.
• Gene expression: There are changes in the function of genes related to longevity and protection against disease.
• Improve brain function. See this link.  

         Oral Health Benefits

·        Lowers the number of microbes in your mouth

·        Balances the saliva pH

·        Reduces inflammation of periodontal disease.

·        Reduces the risk of decay

 It is important to keep hydrated during Intermittent Fasting, as dehydration can occur while eating and drinking less frequently.

Personally, I make sure to keep up my electrolyte intake throughout the fasting time. This is as simple as drinking water with a quality mineral salt added or adding a flavored electrolyte powder to your water.

When you come for your next appointment, we can discuss specifics on the best way to do this.

There are tons of anecdotal stories on Goggle search or Pub Med where chronic disease has disappeared with fasting. So if this is a concern of yours, Intermittent Fasting may help you on your road to healing.

Vitamin K-2 for Healthy Teeth and Bones

 When we think about how we can make our teeth and bones stronger, the first Vitamin that comes to mind is Vitamin D. As we discussed in our previous post  (Vitamin D: How much do we need?) Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth. But you will see here that it is so much more effective when taken with Vitamin K-2.

Vitamin K-2, or menaquinone, is the missing link that Dr. Weston Price referred to when he did his studies of nutrition, dental health, and physical health.

In 1945, Dr. Price described “a new vitamin-like activator” that played an influential role in the utilization of minerals, protection from tooth decay, growth and development, reproduction, protection against heart disease and the function of the brain. He determined that this compound—which he called Activator X—was found in the butterfat, organs and fat of animals that consumed rapidly growing green grass (in other words, grass-fed animals), fish eggs, and also in fermented foods. It was 40 years later that Activator X was determined to be Vitamin K-2

Demineralized Chipped and Transparent Teeth

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So what are the implications of Vitamin K-2 with dental health?

The most obvious would be bone support holding your teeth in your jaw. If your teeth are loose or your gums are receding, chances are that you are deficient in Vitamin K2. Concomitantly with that, there would be osteopenia or osteoporosis. So it might make sense to get a bone density test, if you are diagnosed with periodontal bone loss.

Another implication of Vitamin K-2 deficiency would be the density of your teeth. If your teeth are thinning, looking more transparent, or have lots of dental cavities (even if you brush and floss daily), then your Vitamin K-2 may be low. At deficiency levels, your teeth will slowly demineralize, making them very susceptible to chipping and decay.

Also notable would be the structural bone growth of children. Vitamin K-2 deficiency will usually create tooth crowding due to underdevelopment of the upper and lower jaws. Vitamin K-2 is essential for bone development as well as bone growth and bone density. Vitamin K-2 promotes healthy bone mineral density by carboxylating osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to bones.

There are other health benefits associated with Vitamin K-2.

• Heart health. Activates a protein that prevents calcium deposits from forming in the walls of blood vessels. If your K-2 levels are good, it lowers your odds of aneurysm or heart attack.
• Reduce tumor growth. Has antioxidant properties that may help protect against cancer. In addition, findings suggest that K-2 may suppress genetic processes that lead to tumor growth.
• Normalize blood sugar levels. Interacts with osteocalcin which may help the body to use insulin more effectively
• Improve brain health. Mostly due to its antioxidant properties and prevention of blood clots everywhere.

 

It is clear that Vitamin K-2 plays a vital role in achieving excellent health.

In my many years of dental practice, I have helped countless numbers of patients with obvious Vitamin K-2 deficiency. It is easily correctable if you add the necessary beneficial foods or proper supplement.

To learn more, it would be wise to make an appointment with an informed health practitioner who can guide you appropriately.

 

Vitamin D: How much do we need?

 

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps regulate calcium and phosphorus in the body. It plays a major role in maintaining proper bone and tooth structure. Most recently, it has been implicated as a necessary nutrient to keep our immune system strong and is an important marker (need high blood values) in recovering from Covid.

Demineralized teeth from Vitamin Deficiency

So if you have periodontal disease (gum inflammation and bone loss), rampant tooth decay, osteoporosis or immune issues, you should definitely get your Vitamin D levels evaluated. Healthy blood levels should be between 60 to 80 ng/ml. Conventional medicine says any number above 20 ng/ml is enough. It isn’t.

There are different forms of vitamin D: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D3 is twice as effective as D2 and easier for your body to use.

Vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, and fortified milk. It's also made in our skin when exposed to sunlight. During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when the body needs it and no sunlight is available. Without adequate vitamin D levels, your body will only absorb 10-15% of the calcium you eat from your diet. Health problems are sure to follow.

 

So how much Vitamin D do we need each day? According to this Pubmed research, doses of 800-5000 IU/day should be enough. Enough to prevent deficiency and obvious health problems. If your blood values are low (less than 30 ng/ml) you might need more. Also, bear in mind that Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and needs to be taken with a fatty meal to maximize absorption. If you are just popping your vitamin D with a salad, you may be getting no benefit from the vitamin.

 

As an extra note, I want add that it is possible to overdo Vit D intake. Recent research has shown that high blood levels of Vitamin D ( more than 100 ng/ml) may cause hypercalcemia leading to calcification of soft tissues and blood vessels. This may result in cataracts, kidney issues (nausea, high blood pressure, excessive urination and thirst), fatigue, dehydration, muscle weakness, heart arrhythmia and dizziness.

Best to speak with your licensed health provider to determine how much supplementation you should take daily. Or bring your lab blood results to to your next dental visit, and I can guide you accordingly.

Nourishing Pumpkin Soup

When cleaning out the freezer this weekend, I noticed that I had a few bags of frozen pumpkin puree. I had just finished making a fresh batch of BONE SOUP, so it seemed like the perfect time for making the bone soup into pumpkin soup.

The way I make Pumpkin Soup is quite simple and quite delicious. Unlike most recipes for pumpkin soup, my version has no dairy, no brown sugar, and is full of nutrients.

My recipe below is very basic. You can adjust quantities of spices and maple syrup to your own taste.  Sometime I add no maple syrup, as the pumpkin can have its own sweetness.  You can also substitute pureed squash for the pumpkin to give the soup a whole new flavor.

Nourishing Pumpkin Soup –Base recipe

1 TBSP olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Cloves

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Ginger

2 cloves garlic chopped

1 quart of bone soup or chicken broth

4 cups of pumpkin puree (or two 15 oz cans)

1-2 TBSP Maple syrup (optional)

Chopped cilantro or walnuts for garnish (optional)

 

Directions

1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.

2. Add the spices and sauté a bit to bring out their flavors.  

3. Stir in the bone broth.

4. Blend in the puree.

5. Bring to a low simmer.  

6.  Keep stirring to make it a smooth creamy consistency.

7.  Serve warm. Garnish with chopped cilantro or walnuts if desired.

The amounts of spice listed are not exact. It really depends on your taste buds. You might want to start with half the amounts listed and add more as you do a taste test. For me, I add a lot more ginger for that additional kick in flavor. But some people do not like the taste of ginger, so you might start with just a pinch. You could also use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead of the individual spices listed.

I hope this recipe warms your soul as well as your stomach.  You no longer have to eat heavily sweetened and cream laden pumpkin soup anymore. This version is so much healthier. 

Bon Appetit!

Granola – A Healthy Alternative Cereal

As many of you may know, I love to cook. Give me any recipe, and I will find a way to make it healthier.  So when a patient asked what to feed her 5 year old child who loves conventional cereal, the first thing that came   to mind was Granola. Sure it’s not the healthiest food out there, but it’s a lot better than Fruit Loops and Coco Pebbles.

Conventional cereals made with white flour, white sugar and lots of preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, can’t be healthy for anyone. And especially if the ingredients are GMO’ed.

So I told my patient Lorie that I would share a simple Granola recipe that I have used for years. You only need one bowl and some basic baking ingredients.

 

This delicious healthy granola recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup (or honey). It’s made with oats, coconut oil and your favorite nuts and fruit. Always best to use organic ingredients if possible.

        Basic Ingredients                   Finished Product                 

        


Healthy Granola

INGREDIENTS

·         4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (instant or quick, not steel cut)

·         1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds (I have used walnuts, pecans, almond slivers or raw cashews or shelled pumpkin seeds)

·         1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (I use Himalayan)

·         1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon is healthiest)

·         ½ cup melted coconut oil

·         ½ cup maple syrup or honey

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use 2 teaspoons if you want)

·         Optional: coconut chips (unsweetened) or 1 tsp ground ginger or 2 TBSP of ground orange peel. Depends on what flavor you are looking for. Just use your imagination!

After fully baked and cooled, mix in:

·         For fruity granola: ½  cup any chopped dried fruit (like figs or apricots) or just  use raisins or dried cranberries

·         For chocolate granola: ½ cup chocolate chips (look for brands sweetened with monk fruit instead of sugar)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Do not use wax paper as it may melt at this temperature.

2.     In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.

3.     Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.

4.     Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.

5.     Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (or optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.

6.     Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature or in a sealed freezer bag in the refrigerator.

Yields about 8 cups granola, enough for about 16 half-cup servings.

             Enjoy!

Once you try fresh home baked granola, you won’t go back to the store-bought variety. This tastes so much better and is far healthier than anything you can get in the supermarket.  Plus it is so easy to make.  Bon appetit!

 

The Fallout from The Shot

 Hi all!

The time is right and we are back. Our blog has been silent for over two years and now is the time to speak.

There are certain things concerning dentistry that I have observed during this time that deserve mentioning:

1. Postings about mercury and fluoride are no longer being censored on social networks.

2. Postings about “the shot” or politics are constantly being removed or censored.

3. Everyone is concerned about long-term effects of the C jab or the actual illness.

4. People are losing their jobs/income/dental insurance and not coming in for routine dental care.

5. Dental health has deteriorated. Either due to prolonged mask wearing, poor dental home care (people are emotionally depressed due to world events and less focused on cleaning their teeth).

This list is concerning since your dental health is a reflection of your entire body health. If the teeth and gums go downhill, it is just a matter of time before your systemic health will follow.

For those who have not yet returned to our office since 2020, let me assure you that we are alive and well. Our staff is smaller but we know exactly what we are doing and still get the job done. Personalized care is still our highest priority.

 

The only thing that has changed is You. Many of you have had to deal with the shot, the illness, or the aftereffects of having either. Some have had to figure out how to keep their job with the endless jab demands required. Others have had to deal with the loss of friends and family from this entire situation.

So whether you got the shot or not, we hold no judgment. Your entire health is important to us. As a Naturopath, acupuncturist, nutritionist as well as a dentist, I can help you keep your teeth and health as long as possible.

The time for “waiting until the world gets better” is over. Your dental and body health need attention now. Call for an appointment (212 947-0073) and we will be happy to help you as best we can.

 Dear Dental Family,

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable.

The great news is that we have been a biological dental office for many years, so many of these safety protocols that the American Dental Association has recommended, we already have had in place for years.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agency’s’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

• ·         Our office will communicate with you before your appointment to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
• ·         A Sneeze guard has been installed at the Reception desk area for your protection.
• ·         You temperature will be taken while in the Reception room. If it is higher than 99.2, you will not be seen and will be asked to reschedule your appointment.
• ·         A Pulse Oximeter reading will be taken while in the Reception Room. If your blood oxygen levels are low, you will not be seen and will be advised to see your physician for follow-up. Low blood oxygen level is a symptom of asymptomatic Covid infection.
• ·         We have hand sanitizer at the reception area. Please use when you enter the office.
• ·         You may see that our Reception room will no longer offer reading material since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. Please enjoy the ambiance of the waterfall and relaxing music.

·         Once you are in the treatment room, we give you an ozone mouth rinse to reduce the microbes in your mouth.

·         We use ozone water in our dental units. Not only does that give us zero colony of bacteria and viruses in our units, it keeps ALL of our waterlines sterile.

·         During any treatment we use a dentairvac.com aerosol control system that sucks up all of the aerosols that your mouth or the dental equipment may put out.

·         We have a surgicallycleanair.com air sanitizing unit centrally located in the office with individual air purifier units in each treatment room. You may notice that our air feels and smells exceptionally clean.

• ·       Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
• ·         We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
• ·         We have also updated our personal protection gear, so we may look a little unusual when you see us.

We have done a great deal to create a safe environment for our patients and team members. It will feel a bit...different. But it's all for YOUR benefit as a patient. You don't have to feel anxious that you will catch some disease from our office.

Many other dental offices are scared to go back to work, because they still don't have the PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) they need.

But OUR office has had the right PPE for years, because we are a biological dental office. We have already been doing it for a long time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 212 947-0073, email us at successddds@gmail.com or contact us through our website TheBrandWellnessCenter.com 

As per the New York State mandate, we expect to reopen on Monday, May 18.   Please call the office to set up your appointments, as time slots may be limited

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back and seeing your beautiful smiles again!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brand and Team

COVID 19: The Health Crisis of 2020

While our country is in the middle of an unprecedented healthcare challenge, we here at The Brand Wellness Center wanted to reach out to you in hopes that you, your family, and loved ones are all well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than ever, we want to reaffirm our commitment to provide you with information and support to help you maintain and even improve your well-being. For almost 40 years, our focus has always been on your overall health as it relates to your oral health. We wanted to share with you what we are doing to keep our immune system strong to resist all infections inclusive of the Coronavirus. 1. Strengthen the immune system • Vitamin D (2000 -5000 IU), C (2-10 grams in divided doses) and A (5000 mg) daily • 50 mg Zinc • Colloidal silver liquid (sublingual for 60 sec and then swallow) • Mushroom extracts • Melatonin (1 -5 mg) take 2 hours before bedtime (counteracts the cytokine storm) 2. Detox daily • Body brushing (improve lymph flow) • Daily green juice • Sweat (sauna, exercise, etc.) • Salt baths (Epsom salt will work) • Oil pulling (sesame is best for fever/infections) 3. Avoid all processed food, especially those with sugar added. A teaspoon of sugar will lower your immune system for 5 hours. 4. If you have an active infection (Coronavirus or not), we highly recommend that you see your primary care physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Aside from that, I would continue with the basic protocol listed above and add in the user of a nebulizer with hydrogen peroxide. This paper explains the technique and why it is helpful. Even though our office is closed, we are still picking up messages and responding to calls and emails. If you are in need of a referral for dental or medical, please contact the office and we will advise as necessary. We look forward to seeing each of you soon. Stay healthy. Stay safe. Dr. Brand and Team

Facial Rejuvenation with Acupuncture

I just got the nicest compliment. I was returning from the airport recently, taking the Express bus back to the city, and got carded when requesting the senior citizens discount. The guy just couldn’t believe that I was over that certain age.

And just last week, I was at a dental meeting, and a classmate (from 40 years ago) of mine, approached me to see if it were really me. He said that he walked by a few times to be sure, because I looked too young to be me now.

As the years go by and the wrinkles creep in, the skin sags and the posture weakens. It takes focus and dedication to stay healthy. Looking younger than your years, is just a side effect of that dedication. I have always tried to have a healthy lifestyle, and it has been challenging. There are so many toxins to deal with on a daily basis. Toxic people, toxic food supply, toxic air (I live and work in the city), toxic electrical (EMF and Wi-Fi) and most of all working in toxic dentistry (high mercury).

I do a lot to detox daily and apparently it has paid off. You can look through my many blogs to get the gist, or you can purchase my book My Secrets to Regaining Health to get a better understanding of this philosophy.

Conventionally, surgery, Botox and dermal fillers are the most common choices to eradicate wrinkles and sagging. And these procedures are becoming more common in many dental offices. For those with sensitivities, side effects can be chancy and sometimes deadly. So if you are looking for natural ways to age gracefully, these choices are not on the list. There are other options.

Facial Acupuncture

Which brings me to Facial Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation. A simple non –toxic way to create a “facelift” without the surgery. As far as I know, we are the only dental office offering this, and honestly, I believe we have it handled really well. Since we take into account your many other health concerns that can be addressed with an integrative approach.

This would be a basic list that we can review to enhance the outcomes from facial acupuncture

• Exercise, including Face exercise

• Increase antioxidants

• Face massage

• Exfoliation

• Using healthy skin creams with no toxic chemicals

• Detoxification

• Drinking appropriate amounts of water

• Get enough sleep so that the body can actually heal

Facial acupuncture has been around for centuries. It will open the meridians to your face and other parts of your head, creating a clarity of mind that will never be possible with conventional methods. Surgery, Botox and fillers will create blockages in the meridians, and may ultimately create future health problems. 

Actually according to this article in Psychology Today based on a recent PubMed study, Botox will change your brain activity, and not in a good way.

Ongoing research, however, has revealed an unintentional and rather alarming consequence: Botox injections in the forehead and face rearrange the brain’s sensory map of the hands. What's concerning is that clients typically come back for regular injections, because the limited paralysis the toxin induces lasts only two to three months. The ongoing question is whether repeated treatments over a period of years result in permanent changes to one’s brain.

As an integrative health practitioner, I always look for the healthiest and simplest ways to heal and stay well. If we can physiologically stay young while chronologically aging, so be it. Facial Acupuncture is one part of the solution.

For further information please check out our webpages on Acupuncture and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture